Level Eater
Chapter 154

The requirements to become a blacksmith.

If you can obtain the skill named [Blacksmithing], your class name will forcibly change to blacksmith.

However, this skill cannot be acquired from the start.

First, you need to raise the [Hammer Arts] skill to level 3 and acquire at least level 1 in both [Fire Magic] and [Earth Magic] skills. (T/N: I will be translating it as Hammer Arts, but it may change in the future to Hammer Technique since it is not a fighting skill)

By doing so, you can obtain [Blacksmithing] without SP, replacing these three skills.

However, this is for humans who don't benefit from skills like [Earth Spirit's Blessing].

Since [Earth Spirit's Blessing] is a skill that prerequisites [Blacksmithing], the path to it becomes much easier.

This time, because Leah has +8 [Earth Spirit's Blessing], she doesn't need to acquire [Fire Magic] and [Earth Magic], and can meet the conditions just by raising [Hammer Arts].

This was good news for Tatsuro and the team who wanted to minimize effort, but it made them feel renewed respect for those who climbed up from nothing.

"So that means we need to give Leah a hammer as a weapon first, right?" (Tatsuro)

"In that case, how about the loot from the Hammer Bugs we fought in the level 3 dungeon? Tatsuro, you brought some back, didn't you?" (Ai)

"Yeah, I kept a few without selling all of them. Better safe than sorry. Here we go." (Tatsuro)

With that, Tatsuro took out the material from the monster they had defeated before from his [Item Box].

"This is... Isn't it a bit too big?" (Leah)

"I also think it would be difficult for Leah to even lift it with her current stats." (Ai)

"Ah, really?" (Tatsuro)

"Well, even I would find it hard to walk around carrying this." (Ai)

It was a large hammer, about one meter long.

For Leah, who had been bedridden until now and hadn't built much muscle, and was still only level 1, it was impossible to wield such a thing.

The quickest solution would be to buy or prepare a smaller hammer, but to level up, one needs to deliver the final blow to opponents.

Even if Tatsuro and the others brought enemies in the level 7 dungeon to the brink of death, Leah might not be able to deliver an effective blow with a small hammer.

So, despite it being a bit troublesome, they decided to try another method.

"Nana cast a strength-boosting curse magic on Leah with me." (Tatsuro)

"Understood." (Nana)

Tatsuro and Nana together cast curse magic on Leah with all their might to increase her strength.

"Well then, try to see if you can hold it." (Tatsuro)

"Understood." (Leah)

Leah placed both hands on the handle of the hammer, which was clearly more than half her height and seemed impossible for her skinny arms to lift.

Then, with her feet spread slightly wider than shoulder-width, she put in all her strength, trying to use all her muscles to lift it up.

Surprisingly, though somewhat precariously, she managed to raise it overhead like a bamboo sword, and slowly brought it down.

However, while that went well, it seemed she reached her limit when trying to lower it without damaging the floor against gravity. She ended up lunging forward, plunging towards the ground along with the hammer.

"Whoa, careful!" (Ai)

"Oof! A-Ai-san. Thank you very much." (Leah)

"Don't mention it." (Ai)

Ai caught Leah as she fell forward, embracing her to her chest, and effortlessly snatched the hammer with one hand, placing it lightly on the ground.

"It seems impossible for combat at this rate, but she might be able to manage just delivering the final blow." (Ai)

"Yeah. It looks like she only lost the weight because she was trying to lower it slowly just now." (Tatsuro)

"However, since you're no longer of a frail constitution, I recommend building more muscle from now on." (Ai)

"Yes, I thought so too. As I am now, it seems my stats alone won't be enough to compensate." (Leah)

"That's true, but let's also put some meat on those bones. You're beyond just being slender at this point." (Ai)

As Ai said this, remembering the feeling when she hugged Leah to her chest, she touched Leah's waist area and found it to be unhealthily thin.

"Well, suddenly stuffing yourself would probably be bad for your body too, so let's work on that gradually." (Ai)

"You're right. I won't be getting sick during meals anymore, so I'll eat well, train hard, and aim for a super healthy body!" (Leah)

"You don't need to go that far..." (Nana)

Nana sighed as if to say she couldn't keep up with Leah's energetic enthusiasm.

After that, Tatsuro and the others had the inn prepare some late-night snacks, which they ate in their room. Then, they discussed what they would need to enter the level 7 dungeon.

"We got a general idea about dungeons at level 3, but this time we're jumping straight to 7. The enemies will be tougher, and if we go in with a hiking mindset, we might end up in trouble." (Tatsuro)

"Yeah. Plus, we need to protect Leah this time, so we have to stay alert." (Ai)

"If we carelessly expose a level 1 child, even a glancing blow could be fatal." (Tatsuro)

"Haha... I'd rather not die again..." (Leah)

Normally, it would be safer to level up by exploring lower-level dungeons.

However, those yield less SP and take longer to level up.

On the other hand, while level 7 is more dangerous, the returns are also greater.

Not only Leah, but Ai and Cardina could level up too, and they could quickly make up for the negative SP.

Considering these options, Tatsuro chose the high-return path.

However, they weren't going in without precautions. This time, they had a non-combatant to protect, which would reduce the number of people who could focus on fighting.

So, with the mindset of "if we're losing numbers, let's just increase them," Tatsuro proposed creating a new magical life form.

"So we're getting another new child. Hmm, I wonder what kind would be good?" (Ai)

"Ai and Jeanne are suited for the vanguard, but this time we need a pure combat unit for the front lines. Also, having one more humanoid type would make things easier, so I'm thinking of that type." (Tatsuro)

"Humanoid is good, but animal types are cute too, you know?" (Ai)

"That's true, but having someone like Nana who can be openly brought into town would be good for dealing with Moritz too." (Tatsuro)

"Ah, right. Cardina and Jeanne stand out too much. In that sense, it might be safer to have one more person like that." (Ai)

"Well, we can't be sure it'll turn out exactly as we want, but let's give it a try." (Tatsuro)

"Alright!" (Ai)

With that, to create a new companion, Tatsuro combined his dragon power and magic, activating the [Yin-Yang Orb] skill with his dragon-magic power.

With the system's assistance, the familiar sphere quickly appeared before him. Tatsuro then poured his thoughts into it, imagining what kind of being he wanted it to become.

(I want a strong existence that will never break, even when standing on the front lines.)

The sphere gradually changed shape, eventually taking on a humanoid form just as Tatsuro had imagined.

Before them stood a woman slightly taller than Ai, with white hair streaked with black, semi-long, and curly, with cat-like ears poking out. (T/N: I think we need to question Tatsuro's imagination)

Her eyes were slightly upturned, giving a cool impression when expressionless. She appeared to be a beast person wearing black shorts, a white T-shirt, and a black jacket over it.

{She looks kind of scary. What if she's going through a rebellious phase?} (Ai)

{I don't think that's possible...} (Tatsuro)

"…."

While Tatsuro and Ai were secretly talking via telepathy, the newcomer kept staring at the two of them.

Feeling awkward about the silence, Tatsuro decided to speak up.

"Um, nice to meet you." (Tatsuro)

"...? Oh, nice to meet ya. Looking forward to working with ya~"

"Oh, she's quite casual." (Ai)

"Yeah, I'm not good with formalities. Oh, hey there, big sisters~"

"Pewee" (Cardina)

"Neigh" (Jeanne)

"Indeed" (Nana)

Despite the gap between her appearance and way of speaking, Cardina and her sisters didn't seem to think much of it and just greeted her normally.

"Um, do you have any special characteristics? Like Nana, who has a somewhat transparent body." (Tatsuro)

"Ah~ I don't have anything unusual like that. But thanks to Dad imagining me fighting on the front lines, I seem to be stronger than I look."

"I see. Oh, you haven't given her any magic yet, right?" (Ai)

"Yeah, I was thinking about what would be good for fighting on the front lines. I thought we might as well decide after seeing her characteristics. Is there any element you'd like to use?" (Tatsuro)

"An element I'd like to use? Hmm~"

She swayed her head for a few seconds, appearing to think, and then mentioned one element.

"If I can choose, lightning magic might suit me well."

"Is that so? But your level is still low, right?" (Tatsuro)

"Ah~ that's fine. It'll go up eventually, so I'm not worried."

"I see. If that's what you want, I'll give you the lightning magic Skill." (Tatsuro)

"Thanks"

Tatsuro felt a bit uneasy because she was responding so casually to a choice that could potentially affect her entire life.

However, since it was her wish, he had her return to a sphere of pure magical energy and transplanted the lightning attribute factor into her.

"Oh~ Thanks. Now I can do some interesting things~"

"I see. Well, we'll see those interesting things when we go outside. For now, let's decide on a name." (Tatsuro)

"Then it's my turn!" (Ai)

"No, it's not like there's a rule—" (Tatsuro)

"Alright, I'll do my best to come up with one!" (Ai)

"You're not listening..." (Tatsuro)

Cardina, Jeanne, and Nana were all named by Ai, so it might be a bit sad if only this child was different. In that sense, Tatsuro thought it might be okay and prayed for a good name to come up.

Regardless of Tatsuro's feelings, Ai first focused on the child's distinctive hairstyle.

"Meshy-chan!" (Ai)

"No, no, naming her after her hair color is too simplistic." (Tatsuro)

"Su-chan!" (Ai)

"That's probably from her way of speaking, but we rejected that for Nana too, remember?" (Tatsuro)

"Hmm... Then let's try approaching from the lightning magic angle. Thunder, lightning, boom-crash... Goro-chan!" (Ai)

"Sounds like she'd be good at helping with crafts. And she's a girl!" (Tatsuro)

As Tatsuro had anticipated, they continued to struggle, going back and forth with "not this" and "not that" until finally...

"Hmm, come to think of it, Tatsuro imagined her for fighting, right?" (Ai)

"Yeah, I was thinking we needed a pure combat unit this time." (Tatsuro)

"Fighting... I feel like there was a name like that. ...Athena." (Ai)

"Athena? Oh, Athena. If I remember correctly, she was the goddess of war and wisdom or something like that." (Tatsuro)

"Yeah, I remember her being portrayed that way somewhere." (Ai)

"Well, this child doesn't look particularly Japanese, so it might be good. What do you think?" (Tatsuro)

"If Dad and Mom decided on the name, anything's fine with me. I don't have any particular preferences." (Athena)

"You're pretty easy-going about your own name... Well, we'll go with Athena then, is that okay?" (Tatsuro)

Tatsuro confirmed once more just in case, but she nodded slowly without seeming to give it much thought.

"Understood. From now on, I'll do my best as Athena." (Athena)

"What a laid-back child. As her older sisters, we must take good care of her!" (Nana)

"Pewee" (Cardina)

"Neigh" (Jeanne)

Despite being born with the image of fighting, her personality seemed far too relaxed, so her older sisters pledged to help Athena from now on.